There’s nothing like a face-to-face meeting. The live interaction between people satisfies an often-needed emotional connection.

 

But with the rise of conferencing solutions, one has to wonder what implications the technology could have outside the business world. Can conferencing solutions, for example, be somehow useful at an airport? Some industry officials may be exploring that answer.

 

In a recent blog post, Greg Plum (News - Alert), director of channel development for The Conference Group, described his recent journey back home from two industry conferences. Plum started his adventure trying to find a parking spot at the airport in Philadelphia on his way to Miami. On his return trip, Plum encountered yet another problem – long lines and a not-so-nice airline employee.

 

When Plum approached the employee for assistance obtaining his boarding pass, “I was met with a bark that instructed me to get in line,” he wrote. “The one comprised of dozens of luggage-checking passengers snaked back and forth, for what may as well have been a mile. The bark was replaced with indifference when I assured her that I, along with any others bound for Philly, would surely miss our flight.”

 

One has to ponder how Plum’s experience might have been different if his company’s Web conferencing technology were somehow involved.

 

“As we all know, there is no replacement for live interaction with colleagues and clients,” Plum wrote. “These personal appearances, with all of their niceties, can be complemented by the occasional Web or video conference.”

 

Video conference, which is part of Web conferencing technology, simulates an “online” meeting where participants see each other, hear each other and talk as if they were sitting in the same room. The technology has transformed the way in which companies like The Conference Group, a provider of Web-based, on-demand audio, Web and videoconferencing services, help organizations interact with clients and customers.

 

For example, the company’s ReadyShow Web conferencing service lets companies and individual users conduct conferences on a scheduled basis or “on-the-fly.” The fully featured on-demand, Web-based service is well suited for ad-hoc conferences where simplicity and flexibility take precedence.

  

With the solution, companies can conduct Web tours, demonstrate Web services, or leverage online content during presentations. Users can allows share desktop applications for real-time software demonstrations and application training. Live video feeds are also available to those who install a Web camera.

 

The technology could even be useful in everyday situations. Maybe even at airports. In Plum’s case, perhaps a video conference exchange with the US Air representative might have been the better choice.

 

With the technology, “While you can’t “reach out and touch someone,” you can at least “boot up and see them,” Plum said.

 

Perhaps using a video conference exchange would have saved Plum from some of the unpleasantness that only an in-person experience brings.